How to Replace a Basement Subfloor

The basement subfloor in no way replaces the original floor of the basement. The original floor of the basement is concrete and the basement subfloor is typically a plywood riser. A basement subfloor is put together like any other floor using joists and plywood. The basement subfloor is subject to the same hassles as a typical floor. They can warp, crack and become loose. A basement subfloor can be replaced in these circumstances. The following article will explain how.

Step 1 – Remove the Covering

You will need to remove the carpet, linoleum or tile. Remove carpet by scoring it around the edges all around the basement. Grip a corner and pull up. The carpet will come up off of the basement subfloor. Once the carpet is removed, use a small pry bar to remove nail strips is present. If you are dealing with linoleum then you will also score it around the edges. Instead of trying to peel it off the basement subfloor you will use the scraper and slide it under the linoleum. Tiles are removed the same way as the linoleum but use a hammer to crack the tiles to get an area to start in.

Step 2 – Remove the Basement Subfloor

Locate the screws that fasten the plywood subfloor to the joists and remove them. Once all the screws are remove you can pry up the old wood and discard it. If the floor is nailed down then you will need to create an access point. Use the saw to cut a piece of the plywood subfloor out. Once you have this piece removed you can pry off the remaining sections. The joists can be knocked out of place with the hammer if you want to replace them as well. It is much easier if you can salvage the joists and build on top of them.

Step 3 – Install Joists

Do this step if you removed the joists, skip to Step 4 if you kept them. Place 2 by 4 boards across the concrete floor 36 inches apart. Attach them to the concrete with L-brackets. Nail one side into the wood and use a hammer drill and concrete screws for the side of the bracket that is on top of the concrete. Place one on each side but staggered along the length of the 2 by 4. You can now install the braces. They are installed between the 2 by 4, on end and staggered. Cut the 2 by 4 to the same length as the distance between the studs. You need 1 brace every 36 inches. Fasten them with wood screws.

Step 4 – Install the Basement Subfloor

Installing the basement subfloor is incredibly easy. Place full sheets of plywood on top of the joists. Measure any uneven sections and then cut the plywood to fit. Once all the plywood is placed on top of the joists, fasten them in place with wood screws. Make sure the plywood is screwed into each joist it is on.